THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
A private full-day tour from Kalkan that mixes a glass-bottom cruise around Kekova’s Sunken City with snorkel stops, hiking to Simena Castle and visits to Myra’s rock-cut tombs and the St. Nicholas church. Expect an 11‑hour, well-paced combination of boat time and archaeological exploration.
A private full-day tour from Kalkan that mixes a glass-bottom cruise around Kekova’s Sunken City with snorkel stops, hiking to Simena Castle and visits to Myra’s rock-cut tombs and the St. Nicholas church. Expect an 11‑hour, well-paced combination of boat time and archaeological exploration.
The day starts before dawn in Kalkan, when the harbor slips into motion and the sea takes on the color of hammered turquoise. On a private boat you push off past chalk cliffs and small coves; the water seems to tug at the hull as you head for Kekova and the ruins that still lie half-breathed beneath the surface.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by SAILNSTAY · Kalkan, Antalya Province
The day starts before dawn in Kalkan, when the harbor slips into motion and the sea takes on the color of hammered turquoise. On a private boat you push off past chalk cliffs and small coves; the water seems to tug at the hull as you head for Kekova and the ruins that still lie half-breathed beneath the surface.
This stretch of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast carries the mark of seismic change and human history. Lycians carved grand rock tombs into the cliffs, Roman theatres still rise from terraces, and the Sunken City of Dolchiste — swallowed after ancient earthquakes — sits ghostlike under calm water. The coastline’s limestone shelves and underwater springs create sudden pockets of cool, bracing water; alongshore villages like Kaleköy (ancient Simena) show stone houses, a small castle and a necropolis that speak to centuries of trade and conflict.
The tour balances water and land: a glass-bottom cruise past submerged walls, snorkel stops in clear bays, then a return to Demre for the Museum of Lycian Civilizations and the ruins of Myra, including the theatre and rock-cut tombs, and the 6th-century church associated with St. Nicholas.
Practicalities: expect an 11-hour day with private transfers from Kalkan, lunch and snorkeling gear provided. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes and a light daypack; swimming is allowed in bays but prohibited over protected Sunken City zones. Timing matters — calm seas and clearer visibility arrive earlier in the morning. For a single day you’ll cover archaeology, geology and marine life in concentrated, easily paced stages — an efficient, sensory-rich way to read the layers of Lycia.
Basic swimming ability is recommended for snorkeling stops, but the boat provides ladders and life jackets; non-swimmers can still enjoy glass-bottom views and onshore sites.
No — the Sunken City is a protected area where swimming and anchoring directly over ruins are prohibited; views are from the boat or glass-bottom sections.
Tour pricing typically includes transfers, lunch and boat services but small local entrance fees for sites like Kaleköy castle or museums may be paid on-site; confirm with the operator before booking.
Yes — this private tour includes hotel pickup and return within the Kalkan area; pickup specifics are confirmed at booking.
SAILNSTAY operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The day starts before dawn in Kalkan, when the harbor slips into motion and the sea takes on the color of hammered turquoise. On a private boat you push off past chalk cliffs and small coves; the water seems to tug at the hull as you head for Kekova and the ruins that still lie half-breathed beneath the surface.
The day starts before dawn in Kalkan, when the harbor slips into motion and the sea takes on the color of hammered turquoise. On a private boat you push off past chalk cliffs and small coves; the water seems to tug at the hull as you head for Kekova and the ruins that still lie half-breathed beneath the surface.
This stretch of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast carries the mark of seismic change and human history. Lycians carved grand rock tombs into the cliffs, Roman theatres still rise from terraces, and the Sunken City of Dolchiste — swallowed after ancient earthquakes — sits ghostlike under calm water. The coastline’s limestone shelves and underwater springs create sudden pockets of cool, bracing water; alongshore villages like Kaleköy (ancient Simena) show stone houses, a small castle and a necropolis that speak to centuries of trade and conflict.
The tour balances water and land: a glass-bottom cruise past submerged walls, snorkel stops in clear bays, then a return to Demre for the Museum of Lycian Civilizations and the ruins of Myra, including the theatre and rock-cut tombs, and the 6th-century church associated with St. Nicholas.
Practicalities: expect an 11-hour day with private transfers from Kalkan, lunch and snorkeling gear provided. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes and a light daypack; swimming is allowed in bays but prohibited over protected Sunken City zones. Timing matters — calm seas and clearer visibility arrive earlier in the morning. For a single day you’ll cover archaeology, geology and marine life in concentrated, easily paced stages — an efficient, sensory-rich way to read the layers of Lycia.